Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne made the Belgium squad for Euro 2024, but Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois missed the cut.
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De Bruyne in, Courtois out
Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco announced his provisional 25-man squad on Monday.
De Bruyne, 32, returns for the Red Devils after leading the so-called golden generation of Belgian players.
The real shocker came from Atletico Madrid’s Axel Witsel, who was called up despite having announced his retirement from international soccer.
Tedesco visited Civitas Metropolitano to persuade the 35-year-old midfielder to come back to the team.
“He is a key player at Atlético Madrid. I met him, wanted to see him, look into his eyes,” he said.
“We need him, he has experience and can help the young players. Experience in that position is important. We are playing a European Championship, that is no small thing.”
Meanwhile, Courtois had a falling out with Tedesco after he was not named as the team captain.
The veteran goalkeeper just returned from an ACL injury, and will join Real Madrid in Saturday’s Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.
“Courtois was very clear and honest and early in his communication. The latest information we received is that he is not ready for the European Championships. He knows his body best,” Tedesco said.
Belgium squad in full
Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Wout Faes (Leicester City), Thomas Meunier (Trabzonspor), Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Arthur Theate (Stade Rennais), Axel Witsel (Atlético Madrid)
Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco (Al Shabab), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Orel Mangala (Lyon), Amadou Onana (Everton), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Arthur Vermeeren (Atlético Madrid), Aster Vranckx (vfL Wolfsburg)
Forwards: Johan Bakayoko (PSV Eindhoven), Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Romelu Lukaku (Roma), Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla), Lois Openda (RB Leipzig), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal).
The Red Devils are all set
Belgium aims to complete its 26-man roster before UEFA’s June 7 deadline.
The Red Devils will open their EURO 2024 campaign against Slovakia on June 17 in Frankfurt.
